From Our Grill to Your Heart. Family Recipes, Legendary Taste.
In December 1979, Julius McKinney, alongside his wife Lucille and son Johnny, saw the need for a BBQ restaurant in the heart of Bradenton, FL. Nestled in the 200 block of 9th Avenue West (now MLK Blvd.), J&J Bar-B-Que was born—named after the dynamic father-son duo, Johnny & Julius. With Johnny’s grandfather, Anderson Carnegie, at the helm as the BBQ Master, J&J Bar-B-Que quickly became a local sensation, serving up flavors that made Manatee County fall in love.
As demand grew, the family relocated to a new landmark spot at 2620 9th Street West. For decades, this location became synonymous with mouthwatering BBQ and warm, family-like hospitality. In 2014, Johnny decided to close the restaurant doors and shifted the focus towards festivals and events, where J&J Bar-B-Que continued to thrive.
Since 1982, J&J Bar-B-Que has catered over 100 festivals, corporate events, weddings, birthdays, and more—bringing our signature flavors to every corner of the west coast of Florida, from Lakeland to Fort Myers. Whether serving 20 or 2,000 guests, we pride ourselves on creating unique and memorable culinary experiences.
In 2021, Johnny’s daughter Jessica joined the family business full-time, bringing a new generation of passion and energy to J&J Bar-B-Que.
Our Mission
At J&J Bar-B-Que, we’re all about connecting good people with great food. Our homemade recipes are a testament to our family traditions, and we treat every customer as part of our extended family. Follow us on social media and check out our calendar to see where we’ll be next—because at J&J Bar-B-Que, the flavor is always worth the journey.